by Associated Press May 12, 2021 .
The Pentagon is reconsidering how to make a massive shift to cloud computing, officials said Monday, suggesting it could scrap the so-called JEDI contract potentially worth $10 billion that was awarded to Microsoft Corp. but is mired in legal challenges.
“We are going to have to assess where we are in regards to the ongoing litigation and determine what the best path forward is for the department,” deputy Pentagon press secretary Jamal Brown said, citing remarks by Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks at a public forum late last month.
Hicks said then that she could not comment on the legal case or say what course of action the Pentagon will take. But she said a move to cloud computing is essential for a number of reasons, including cybersecurity.
Pentagon Considers Shutting Down JEDI Project Amid Prolonged Amazon (AMZN) Court Fight: WSJ streetinsider.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from streetinsider.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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U.S. Defense Department officials are considering ending the JEDI cloud computing contract, the Wall Street Journal reported today.
The JEDI, or Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure, contract is set to see the Pentagon spend as much as $10 billion over 10 years on cloud infrastructure and services. The Pentagon awarded the deal to Microsoft Corp. in 2019.
The decision to choose Microsoft for the project came as a surprise because Amazon Web Services Inc., the largest player in the public cloud market by revenue, was widely expected to win JEDI. Microsoft’s contract win, which AWS says was influenced by political interference from former President Donald Trump, has been the subject of litigation ever since.
By SARAH CAMMARATA | STARS AND STRIPES Published: May 4, 2021 WASHINGTON Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, told House lawmakers on Tuesday that the establishment of a Space National Guard is a top priority, as he and other service officials are fairly close to finalizing details to be sent to the Pentagon. The National Guard chief is set to meet Wednesday with acting Air Force Secretary John Roth and Gen. John Raymond, the chief of space operations, to prepare for a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Hokanson said he has already briefed Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks on his recommendations.
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Plans for a new Space National Guard close to liftoff, top general says
Gen. Daniel Hokanson, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, on Tuesday called establishing a Space National Guard among my most pressing concerns.
Gen. Daniel Hokanson testifies at his June 18 Senate confirmation hearing to lead the Guard Bureau. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
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Pentagon officials are finalizing recommendations to establish a separate Space National Guard, the nation s top National Guard officer told lawmakers, potentially setting up a new cadre of part-time space professionals for the military.
Gen. Daniel Hokanson, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, on Tuesday called establishing a Space National Guard among my most pressing concerns.